Home April 2019 Anti-Semitism: Why and What to Do as American Jews

Anti-Semitism: Why and What to Do as American Jews

ANTISEMITISM - image with words associated with the topic RACISM, word, image, illustrationOne leading topic dealt with in American Jewish organizations is anti-Semitism in the United States. Oy vey, we expect anti-Semitism in Europe, but here? Is it because cable news makes every incident into a headline story?
 
Or is part of the problem that the mainstream media, which almost all fair and independent observers agree is overwhelmingly liberal, distorts itself like a pretzel to connect every act of anti-Semitism to President Donald Trump? An example of exploiting non-critical thinking: following the October 2018 Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, the liberal mainstream media and Democratic Party made it appear that the tragic shooting was somehow President Donald Trump’s fault.
 
In his “JLife” viewpoint article “Anti-Semitism: Why and What to Do as American Jews,” (December issue) Rabbi Elie Spitz referred to the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting several times, but never once pointed out that the shooter did it because he hated President Trump. And why did the shooter hate President Trump? Because the President is an ardent supporter of Jews and Israel.
 
In the days following the shooting, James S. Robbins wrote in USA Today “Synagogue Shooter Hated Donald Trump and Shows What Real Hatred, Anti-Semitism Looks Like”–
 
Linking Trump to anti-Semitism is factually incorrect and morally wrong. You never heard it before he ran for office. He has a history of giving generously to Jewish charities, including the Anti-Defamation League, and he received the Jewish National Fund’s “Tree of Life” award.
 
This is a president whose high-profile daughter Ivanka is an observant modern Orthodox Jew and whose Jewish son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is a trusted White House envoy and personal adviser. President Trump also has longstanding ties to Israel’s conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and, unlike three of his Oval Office predecessors, made good on a pledge to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
 
As a reminder, Ivanka converted to Judaism, which speaks volumes about her Jewish faith. Regarding the U.S. embassy, the three immediate past presidents – Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama – had unfettered opportunities to move the embassy, as repeatedly promised during their campaigns, but they never had the courage shown by President Donald Trump to follow through.
 
If the Jewish American community truly wants to combat growing anti-Semitism in the United States, we must have an honest discussion and admit that overwhelming blind loyalty to the Democratic Party is part of the problem. In an analysis of the Jewish vote by the Mellman Group on behalf of the Democratic Council of America –

Jewish voters overwhelmingly chose Democratic candidates in the 2018 midterm elections. Among Jewish voters, 82 percent of the two-party U.S. House vote went to Democrats and 18 percent went to Republicans.
 
With the most pro-Israel/pro-Jewish president to ever occupy the White House, it is perplexing that a majority of Jews remain with the anti-Israel/anti-Jewish Democratic Party. Many Christian Republicans, staunch defenders of American Jews and the State of Israel, can’t understand why the American Jewish community supports a political party that promotes anti-Semitic candidates and positions.
 
In late October, former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling was on CNN’s “The Lead” program with Jake Tapper. This is what Schilling said to Tapper, who is Jewish –

“I would like to ask you something as a person who is practicing the Jewish faith and has since you were young. I don’t understand – and this is, maybe this is the amateur, non-politician in me – I don’t understand how people of Jewish faith can back the Democratic Party, which over the last 50 years has been so clearly anti-Israel, so clearly anti-Jewish Israel. I don’t know what else would need to be done, said or happen for people to understand that they don’t – the Democratic Party is aligned for Israel only because we have agreements in place to make them have to be.”
 
Tapper responded that he was speaking for himself and opined that the reason could be that Jews support social welfare programs.
 
As a former Democrat, now an active Republican, I am frequently asked that question, too.
 
Although not very religious, I am very proud of my Jewish heritage. Growing up in Jewish neighborhoods in Queens, my immediate and extended family were all Jewish as were all my friends and we all kept kosher homes. I belonged to B’nai Brith, only dated Jewish boys and married a Jewish man under the chuppah. Everyone attended temple on the High Holy Days and registered as Democrats because back then the Democratic Party fought against anti-Semitism and supported Israel.
 
That was then. Just look at some of today’s voices of the Democratic Party:

  • Congresswoman Ilhan Omar wrote in a 2012 tweet that “Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings in Israel.”
  • Bernie Sanders makes anti-Israel, anti-Jewish comments standard in most of his speeches. As Daniel Greenfield wrote in “Bernie Sanders is Not a Jew”
     
    The very thing that makes Bernie Sanders seem suspect to Jews makes him more appealing to anti-Semitic hate groups.

    • Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib wants to cut aid to the Jewish State because supporting Israel “doesn’t fit the values of our country.”
    • Keith Ellison, acolyte of anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, was a top Democratic Party official. The former congressman was elected Minnesota’s attorney general.
    • Women’s March co-founders Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour are supporters of Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam anti-Jewish rants. Many Women’s March participants want the two to step down due to their immense anti-Semitism.
    • Al Sharpton; there isn’t enough paper in the magazine to list all of his anti-Semitic comments.
    • Former Congressman “Beto” O’Rourke ran against Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas in one of the most closely-watched midterm election senate races. O’Rourke was one of only eight House members in 2014 who voted against funding for replenishing Israel’s Iron Dome rockets when Hamas rockets were raining down on border towns. O’Rourke also joined other Democrats in walking out of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s March 2015 speech to a joint session of Congress denouncing the Obama administration Deal.
    • Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ramblings are often so incoherent that it’s difficult to know if she’s anti-Semitic or simply ignorant.
       
      Jews who worry about growing anti-Semitism in the United States should consider their political party affiliation. In “Republicans are Now the Pro-Israel Party, as Democrats Distance Themselves from the Jewish State,” Democrats Andrew Stein (former New York City Council president) and Douglas Schoen (former pollster to President Bill Clinton) closed their article with –
       
      There are 5.3 million Jews in America. While it would be ignorant to characterize every last one of them as pro-Israel, there is still truth to the idea that many of them are. In a short time, growing numbers of them will take their votes and donations to the Republican Party if Democrats leave them in the shadows.
       
      Anti-Semitism in America is on the rise because as a society we have forsaken the morals and values that our forefathers sacrificed in giving us the Constitution and Bill of Rights – both founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs. The American Jewish community must question whether its overwhelming support for the Democratic Party and the party’s many anti-Semitic politicians indirectly fuels the fires of anti-Semitism.
       
      While we have this discussion, let me add that one of the best places to meet other Jews outside of traditional venues (synagogues and community centers) is at Republican organizations where Jews are truly welcomed.

       
      Robin Itzler is a writer and speaker with a background in communications.

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24 COMMENTS

  1. In this article, Robin Itzler makes some very excellent and poignant comments about what is currently going on in this political climate in regard to Antisemitism within the Democratic party. It is alarming to me as a Christian, who stands with the Jewish people and Israel, to hear the things being spouted off these days from far too many Democratic politicians, and the hatred that is apparent against Jews and Israel. Their remarks are frightening, and VERY worrisome. In the past I understood that the Jewish community usually voted for Democrats, but I too wonder how going forward, Jewish people can continue to vote for politicians from this party? There is never a perfect candidate for office, but as Robin Itzler has written, President Trump is more pro-Israel and pro-Jewish than any other President we have had in the past. I would implore my Jewish friends to consider this very honestly and carefully, and this article makes a strong case for that. I pray every day for Israel and the Jewish people.

  2. Fantastic article Robin. Thank you for so clearly spelling out the issue, as well as the options that Jewish people who care about Israel have, when they go to the ballot box.

  3. Excellent article. As a Christian I am very baffled by my liberal Jewish friends. They say they are democrats because of the social issues. Well, let us look at their social issues. They promote Planned Parent Hood – an organization founded for the purpose of eliminating black pregnancies and because their founder was aligned with the KKK they were also interested in jewish pregnancies too I suspect! They were not trying to help women. No they grew a corporation to make money under the shadow of being a non-profit! Let’s look at the welfare programs. Shouldn’t it be a helping hand up instead of down? The democrats have made the poor in our country even poorer and now with several generations on welfare dependent on it and expecting it as their right! It broke the black family unit that at one time was strong. And oh, yes, medical care. Let’s all be on the same health plan so we are all miserably equal. In other words, they are the purveyors of slavery, keeping the citizenry ignorant, and everyone relying on the government for everything. It is true, the democrats God is government. Republicans God is the Lord Almighty. Time for my Jewish friends to please wake up!

  4. What a great exposition of what’s REALLY happening in our Jewish community. Sounds like they just want to be followers of the loudest proclamations rather than thinking through what they’re supporting. Use the brain God gave you and think about what you really are supporting with your votes. We need more thinkers at the polls than blind followers not just because “we’ve always done it this way”

    Thank you Robin for the real “heads up” about what is really happening in our society with the “blind followers” who prefer to not bother to think for themselves, but follow the loud-mouthed leaders of antisemitism, just because “we’ve always been democrats” with no thought of what the democrats are really pursuing.

  5. As usual, Robin Itzler writes a hugely informative and mindful story here. She points out the hypocrisy of the left, and in this case, of Jewish people who support Democrats. I have never understood myself how friends I have of that faith who are Democrats reconcile the two.
    Thank-you Robin, for another great article!

  6. Robin Itzler’s article is Right On!!! As a writer who contributed to Israel Today, I agree that the Democratic Party is not a good choice forAmerica’s Jewry. Anti-Semitism has been nurtured by the very people that are being targeted and discriminated against. Today’s American Jews are turning the other cheek. Appeasement will yield an empty harvest.
    Robin points out that the new crop of Congress has in its ranks anti-Semites. How did this happen? She suggests that the jDemocratic Party is no longer welcoming to Jews yet the Jews have not yet embraced the Republican party who has done far more for Jews and Israel. We need more articles like Robins. Thank you for making her
    views known.

  7. Great analysis, Robin! I have often asked my Jewish friends why a majority of Jew always seem to support the Democrat Party? I have followed up with what has the Democrat Party done for Jews here in America and in Israel? I have even made the same analogy to Blacks supporting the Democrat Party. The most common answer I get is that “Jews identify with persecution and being victims of discrimination,” which does not make sense to me because Hitler and Democrats historically have been the ones who, in fact, persecuted and discriminated against Jews and Blacks. It has always been Americans and their “values” have fought and died (WWI, WWII, Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Civil Rights Legislation, etc.) for Freedom of all people. Yet today the Democrats continue to re-write history, ignore their Party history and accuse Conservatives of racism and discrimination. When, in fact, Democrats keep hate, discrimination and victimization alive that define their own Party continuing to mislead (lie) minorities for their twisted political power gains.

  8. Bravo Robin for stating the truths that are there for all to see if they open their eyes! Too bad so many won’t and blindly stay with the old paradigm and longer relevant program that the Democrats present to them! Yes, there is another way to be and a welcoming party where freedom speech and freedom of religion are cherished values, come join the Republican Jewish Coalition or the Jewish Republican Alliance and the Republican Party! Stop supporting the hypocrites in the Left and stand up against hatred of Israel and Jews!

  9. Thanks, Robin, for speaking out the truth about the Dems . As a Christian I can truly say “Ditto” to the facts you brought out in your splendid essay!

  10. The position taken by the rabbinical leaders of the Reform and Conservative movements in which they urged President Trump to put pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu to NOT annex any land in Judea and Samaria (a k a- the West Bank) “because the vast majority of American Jews are against it” does not speak for all of us.
    In fact, the very liberal lean of these leaders who seem to wholeheartedly support the Democratic Party and its stances do NOT speak for all of us. I think they are way out of line expressing those beliefs in anything other than their own personal opinions.

    Israel is an independent nation. It can and should do what is in it’s own best interests. In my humble opinion, the nation of Israel is indefensible if it gives up any west bank land for “the 2 state solution”. Since the PLO/Hamas have no real interest in a compromise, they only want complete destruction of Israel and all the Jews gone, there is no possibility of a reasonable compromise. Therefore, Israel should annex the territory and retain control, using the Jordan River as its eastern boundary. Either the Arabs that remain become peaceful citizens or they relocate to Arab countries where they would be a better cultural mesh.

    The Democratic Party is 2 state only,(the internationalist stance) while the Republicans have said either way leading to a peaceful solution works for them.

    It is about time for American Jews to understand reality: the Democratic Party of the 1940-1960s is gone forever. FDR, Truman, and JFK/LBJ are gone. The “new” Democrats are comprised of a few groups: 1. the anti-semitic wing, 2. the wishy washy Jewish Congress & Senate persons who will not condemn group 1, and 3. the gray typical do gooders whose priority is tax and spend into oblivion, open borders with no enforcement, and promoters of “sanctuary cities& states” to make America less European and more comprised of third world people. The USA as wealthy as it is, cannot take in unlimited numbers of refugees and pay for their living, their healthcare, their schooling, etc. It is a mistake by the majority of American Jews to go along/get along with the Democrats who do not value religion or the principles on which the USA founding fathers set up our marvelous constitution/bill of rights and government. We are not opposed to LEGAL immigration. We are opposed to ILLEGAL/unlimited immigration. I am a former Democratic voter, but the party has moved way too far left for me, and now I am an independent voter. Wake up American Jews! Things have changed dramatically.

  11. A huge thank you to Robin Itzler, for so clearly challenging the Jewish community to re-evaluate its long-standing allegiance to the Democratic Party. Just yesterday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi proclaimed that Rep. Ilhan Omar isn’t anti-Semitic, and that there’s no taint of anti-Semitism in the Democratic Party. Well then, why were House Democrats so despicably unable to recently pass a resolution specifically condemning anti-Semitism, instead watering it down to include Islamophobia and other forms of hate? Why cannot the liberal Democrats recognize the sui generis nature of anti-Semitism, which is all too real and which has generated a rising number of actual hate crimes? Jewish Americans indeed need to wake up and acknowledge that progressives and liberals have abandoned many of the values upon which our great country was founded. It is they, not Donald Trump or the Republican Party, who advocate for BDS against Israel and who disrupt Israeli speakers on college campuses. The time is now for the Democratic Party to recognize that it cannot take Jewish votes for granted, and that there are alternatives. And it is time for Americnn Jews to finally face reality and to recognize that times have changed and that what made sense for our parents and grandparents no longer does.

  12. Great article. As a part-time teacher at UC Irvine- and a gentile- I witnessed first hand the anti-Semitism on campus masked as human rights for Palestinians.

    While I condemn anti – Semitism from any source including KKK types and neo Nazis, I still maintain that most of it is coming from Islamic quarters.

  13. Kudos to JLife for publishing this Op-Ed. What they really need to do is publish primary articles that give equal time to local activists and community members who can shed light on what is really going on in our OC community.

    It’s not just the national mainstream media that ignore anti-Semitism due to liberal bias. It is the leadership of the local OC community including the Jewish Federation, Hillel, and nearly all Rabbi’s in the area who hide what is really going on from their members and congregants. I’ll bet few in OC know the extent of left-wing anti-Semitism at UC Irvine over the past 15-20 years and the refusal of local Jewish groups to do anything significant enough to affect change.

    A few years ago I circulated a letter led by AMCHA and co-signed by ~35 national Jewish organizations asking the UC Irvine administration to take disciplinary action against those perpetrating an anti-Semitic incident covered by several national media outlets. The violent offense was perpetrated by Palestinian and Muslim students and their many left wing allies. Not a single OC rabbi agreed to co-sign the letter, while press releases from the local Jewish Federation minimized the incident.

    Pro-Israel students at UC Irvine have told me that the liberal Jewish Federation and Hillel seek to undermine and destroy their student run organizations. One such incident of suppression of moderate/conservative Jews was published in the Jerusalem Post. The suppression in that incident was perpetrated by the then CEO of the Jewish Federation against the student that headed Student’s Supporting Israel (SSI), the one and only pro-Israel group on campus. Her offense? She organized a peaceful celebration of Israel’s Independence Day complete with felafel and Jewish dancing. She was blamed for “causing” the knee-jerk protests from Palestinian, Muslim & left wing students that accompany all such events. Judging from this incident it would appear that the Jewish Federation believes the best way to make anti-Semitic protests go away is not to go after the anti-Semites, but to suppress the pro-Israel events that attract them. Of course the Jewish Federation will deny this, but when was the last time they provided funding for a truly pro-Israel speaker invited by SSI or the College Republicans?

    I have personally been told by a student leader at Hillel that SSI is racist. My personal experience indicates they are far from racist — they are moderate or conservative — a distinction that liberals have difficulty deciphering. Yet the Jewish Federation hand picked this student to educate local Jewish high school students about anti-Semitism on campus.

    This is just the tip of the iceberg.

    I’ll bet few know that the Jewish Federation helped underwrite a student trip to Israel that included a dangerous and potentially illegal meeting with the terror group Hamas. Of course the Jewish Federation denied knowing anything about this though students on the trip were told NOT to speak of these visits when they returned home. The Federation whitewashed the incident when it was exposed and claimed to demand that UC Irvine investigate and issue a report. Years later we are still waiting for this report while the Jewish Federation continues to provide financial and other support to left wing students and faculty programs at UC Irvine.

    To bring things full circle with the Op-Ed…At this point in time at UC Irvine there is only one student group left to invite and promote pro-Israel speakers and viewpoints. That group is the College Republicans! We should demand that the Jewish Federation support them (and rebuild SSI). If they refuse, then we should refuse to support the Jewish Federation.

  14. Another excellent article written by Robin Itzler. The issue of anti-semitism by the Democrat Party is one to be taken seriously. Why don’t people of the Jewish faith support their homeland? The current Republican President has done more for Israel than any other in recent history. It’s important to see more writings continuing to explain this dilemna.

  15. You’re right, Robin it’s those Democrat politicians and their Democrat enablers who are responsible for anti-Semitism. It was not a big deal that the non-apologetic Republican Steve Scalise attended a white supremacist European unity convention; Republican Kevin McCarthy’s disgusting comments about George Soros, Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer meant nothing; and the ADL’s criticism of Steve King’s vicious comments is inconsequential because the ADL is a liberal controlled organization. Keep up the good work, Robin and you’ll probably soon find that it’s Clinton and Obama who are the real responsible parties for the rise in anti-Semitisim. Oh and by the way, guess who voted against the Iron Dome in 2014 along with Beto O’Rourke? – Republican Ted Cruz. Why didn’t you mention that fact or did your editorial read better by cherry picking facts?

    • Thank you Jason Schoen for your comment. I fully embrace opposing views because that is how we advance the conversation. Since April 4, 17 comments have been posted about liberal Democrats being partially responsible for the growth of anti-Semitism in the United States: 16 of the 17 comments AGREE with my opinion. This tells me that Jewish organizations and temples need to recognize the movement to Walk Away from the Democratic Party is growing within the Democratic Party and needs to be heard. You might not agree with that view, but politically conservative Jews should be heard. Thank you again for sharing your opinion about my column.

    • Jason: Anyone who is honest realizes that one cannot compare the comments made by Ilhan Omar to those you cited by Republicans. The fact that you would do so demonstrates your failure to understand or admit the extent of anti-Semitism within the Dem party.

      Omar has a long history of anti-Semitic statements against Jews as a group of people. According to Omar Jews “hyptnotzed the world”, Jews control US foreign policy through payoffs, etc, etc. Notice that she is using historical anti-Semitic tropes against an entire a group of people

      In sharp contrast, the republicans you cited have no history of anti-Semitism and their comments were directed against specific individuals BECAUSE OF THE LIBERAL CAUSES THEY FUND, not because they were Jews nor were they made against the entire Jewish people. I

      When liberals publicly opposing Sheldon Adelson’s causes they are not considered anti-Semitic. Why do you have a double standard against Republicans who do the equivalen?

      It’s not just Omar. It runs throughout the Dem party. The Dems couldn’t even come up with a direct statement specifically against Omar’s anti-Semitism nor could they get the votes to remove her from her committee assignments. Contrast that with the Republican bill against anti-Semitism written by Ted Cruz: https://thefederalist.com/2019/03/15/contrast-democrats-cruz-offer-resolution-explicitly-condemning-anti-semitism/

      And yes Jason, Obama is responsible for anti-Semitism. Remember when Jews were targeted and shot up like Swiss cheese in Paris, IN A KOSHER DELI, by muslim extremists, because they were Jewish. Obama had the gall to say they were just random shoppers who were not targeted. Remember when Obama worked with the UN to declare that Jerusalem, including the Temple is not part of Israel. Shall I go on Jason?

      Its long past time you admitted the truth about the Dem party. Your failure to do so has harmed Jews worldwide and is suicidal.

  16. Jews who normalize racist bigots are particularly demoralizing to me as a Jew who has fought for social justice. I cannot fathom the self hate that goes into aligning oneself with such a reprehensible pussy grabby scum bag. I cannot understand a member of the Jewish community who is so blind to his tactics. He has a daughter who married a Jew so this makes him not a racist anti-semite?! I have evangelical christian relatives and bigots, does this make me one?

  17. First of all, Robin, thank you so much for your informative and timely article. As was mentioned by one of the previous comments, we are seeing the rise of anti-Semitism on our campuses, which has prompted a movement of young people to form JExodus. As to Democrats and Republicans, perhaps the “cherry picking” that is being suggested is because there are so many more cherries on the Democrat side to pick upon. So let’s understand the facts. With regard to representative Steve Scalise he’s always been a supporter of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. According to Politifact, Scalise was asked to appear as the area’s representative because there was also a civic association meeting going on and to make a few introductory remarks. At that location there was also the other event going on. As to Senator McCarthy‘s remarks in a tweet that Soros, Steyer and Bloomberg have monetarily been supportive of Democrats, how is that any different from Steyer’s tweet stating the very same thing about Sheldon Adelson? Steyer, whose father was Jewish, but who is a practicing Episcopalian, even went on to say that President Trump’s move of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was “scary and dangerous” and Adelson’s support of that move also “very scary,” according to the Washington Free Beacon. Ted Cruz has been one of the most staunch supporters of the Jewish people and the state of Israel. He along with other Republican members of Congress were at the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. It’s noteworthy to mention that not one Democrat was at the US Jerusalem Embassy opening except for former Democrat now Independent, former Senator Joe Lieberman. Joe Lieberman has also warned the Democrat party about Illan Omar. To repeat the anti-Semitic remarks made by Omar, Talib, Ocasio-Cortez, Hakeem Jeffries, and Hank Johnson, all members of Congress who are supposed to represent all Americans, would require an entirely new article. Suffice it to say that they are all in line with the anti-Israel platform that was stated during the 2016 campaign of the Democrat party. However their anti-Semitic remarks go even further than just being anti-Israel. Calling Jews “termites” is just one resounding example. When Brooklyn college hosted a BDS speaking event and there were anti-BDS protesters it was Michael Bloomberg who stated that if the protesters had just “shut up” that it, referring to those favoring BDS, (boycotting sanctioning and divesting from Israel) “would have gone away.” Perhaps Mr. Bloomberg hasn’t seen the rise of the BDS movement on campuses and against businesses throughout the world. As for George Soros, as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, I can tell you that my mom and her fellow survivors abhor George Soros. It would also take an entire article to name all of the anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activities that George Soros and his many organizations under his foundation have engaged in. However there have been articles written by Dennis Prager as well as Ben Shapiro and others that provide A lot of detail. In an interview Soros stated he had absolutely no regrets about his actions during World War II, and his actions of present support that. In Jlife’s October 2017 edition under the Kvetch and Kvell category, “Sounding Off On Prager,” I’ve summarized points that again support Robin’s assertions. Both Former President Obama and Kamala Harris seem to have no problem appearing in photographs with Louis Farrakhan – one of the most heinous anti-Semites of our time. Neither does Bill Clinton have a problem with sitting on a stage with him at a funeral. Despite Iran’s assertions of “death to America”and “death to Israel,” under the Obama administration the Iran deal was put into place. Obama also gave military aid and financial support to former Egyptian president Mohammed Morrissey who compare Jews to “apes and pigs.” Despite the fact that President Trump has gotten rid of the Iran deal, Joe Biden has spoken about reinstating that very Iran deal if he were to be elected in 2020. There have been numerous articles about Bernie Sanders, specifically one by Dennis Prager, stating that Sanders, Noam Chomsky, George Soros and others are what Dennis Prager refers to as “[are Jewish]… radicals… had/have no Jewish identity and did/do harm to Jews and non-Jews.” Bernie Sanders, a constant critic of what he refers to as “Netanyahu’s right wing” is now perpetuating what Professor Alan Dershowitz, a liberal Democrat refers to as also being anti-Semitic, that it is supposedly okay to criticize the Jewish peoples’ nation state of Israel, under the guise that it is only a criticism of the government. It would be interesting to know if any prime minister of Israel would have been supported by Bernie Sanders. “Beto” O’Rourke has called Prime Minister Netanyahu “a racist.” Almost every candidate of the Democrat party running in 2020, has met with Al Sharpton, as a starting point for their campaign launches. It was Al Sharpton’s anti-Semitic remarks during the Crown Heights riots that have been perpetuated by those who seek his approval. According to Rabbi Aryeh Spero, of the National Bureau of Jewish Affairs, there has never been a president more pro-Jewish and pro-Israel, (whose comnents about Charlotteville have been more mis-quoted) then President Donald Trump. With regard to anti-semitism, there are too many cherries to pick on the Democrat side, and perhaps the time has come for the Jewish people to recognize that fact.

  18. I find it very interesting that none of my comments have been posted yet all of the positive supportive comments which were probably solicited by Robin or posted. Except of course for Jason who thankfully got through somehow. Ell Wiesel would be appalled with this

    • Hello Carol Payton,
      Thank you for reading my column in Jewish Life of Orange County magazine. I truly look forward to reading your comments, even if you disagree with much of what I wrote. As long as we have a respectful dialogue it advances this important conversation. Once my article was published online I proudly shared it with some people I know; a few posted comments. Again, my appreciation that you took the time to comment and I will look forward to reading your views.

  19. Someone once said you’re entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts. I have not met anyone who has posted a comment, nor was I solicited by the author of the anti-Semitism article. Anti-Semitism is a topic that is of great concern to me, my family and friends, the Jewish community, all Americans, and people everywhere of goodwill. After reading the few Ad hominem attacks on President Trump, and the one alluding to his daughter, I felt compelled to respond. Anyone familiar with conversion to Judaism knows that it is very difficult to receive the approval of the Bet Din. Ivanka Trump Kushner‘s commitment to being a modern Orthodox Jewish woman, wife, and mother should be applauded not dismissed. Long before President Donald Trump became president, as a businessman his support of the Jewish people and the State of Israel was well known. President Trump’s longtime friendship with Prime Minister Netanyahu stands in stark contrast to former President Obama’s use of over $350,000 taxpayer dollars to unseat the duly elected Netanyahu. With regard to Mr. Elie Wiesel (of blessed memory), he and my uncle were in the Buchenwald concentration camp together. My mother, a 91-year-old Holocaust Survivor knew him as did I. If Mr. Wiesel were to be “appalled”(which was not his nature) he would most likely have been very saddened and dismayed to see the rise of the left and those espousing socialism, along with the anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitism that has spread in the Democrat party. Elie would have been so happy and grateful for President Trump’s long list of accomplishments that he had Rabbi Hier of the Simon Wiesenthal Center provide the blessing and invocation at President Trump’s inauguration; invited Holocaust survivors and liberators to his State of the Union address and to the White House; overturned the Johnson amendment; recognized (after 52 years of promises by others) Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights; moved the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital; pledged his support through his actions and commitment to a strong alliance between Israel and the United States; and dedicated himself to fighting anti-Semitism. My mother, and Holocaust Survivors everywhere are so appreciative of and thankful for President Trump.

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